SE North Carolina News

Washington, D.C. - Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) has joined a coalition of Republican lawmakers demanding answers from the Biden Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding national security threats at the Southern border. Led by Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Representative Mark Alford (R-MO), the coalition has sent a letter to DHS seeking clarification on several critical issues.

The letter, signed by multiple senators and representatives, poses a series of questions to the Department of Homeland Security. One of the key concerns raised in the letter is whether adversaries, specifically Hamas, Hezbollah, or Iranian proxy agents, have exploited the open Southern border to infiltrate the United States. The coalition seeks confirmation or intelligence on this matter and wants to know how any identified threats have been mitigated.

Another pressing issue addressed in the letter is the interception of individuals illegally crossing the Southern border who may be involved in planned terrorist attacks. The coalition asks DHS if any such terrorist attacks have been foiled since 2021.

The letter also raises concerns about Chinese nationals with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) successfully crossing the Southern border. The coalition demands information on the number of Chinese nationals who have entered the United States in this manner and whether any of them have attempted to access U.S. military installations.

In addition, the coalition seeks clarification on the steps being taken by DHS and the Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure that terrorists are not among the millions of illegal immigrants entering the country through the Southern border.

Senator Ted Budd, in a statement, emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, "The open Southern border has created so many issues across the country, like drug abuse, human trafficking, and increasing crime. But it is also a massive national security issue as well." He highlighted the alarming fact that over 160 individuals on the FBI's terrorist watch list have been apprehended while attempting to illegally enter the United States this year alone. Senator Budd stresses the importance of holding the Biden administration accountable for their alleged dereliction of duty at the border.

The coalition's letter has garnered support from several lawmakers, including Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Rick Scott (R-FL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Representatives Bill Posey (FL-08), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03), Jason Smith (MO-08), Eric Burlison (MO-07), Randy Weber (TX-14), Morgan Luttrell (TX-08), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), John Joyce (PA-13), Ben Cline (VA-06), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Mike Collins (GA-10), Chris Smith (NJ-04), and Kat Cammack (FL-03).

The coalition's letter seeks transparency and answers from the Biden administration regarding national security threats at the Southern border. The lawmakers are determined to hold the administration accountable for what they perceive as a dereliction of duty. The full text of the letter can be found on the coalition's website.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.budd.senate.gov/2023/10/30/budd-joins-coalition-demanding-answers-on-national-security-threats-at-border/